Poverty

Definition

Poverty is the state of having insufficient financial resources to meet basic living needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. It is a complex issue that can be influenced by various factors including economic systems, social structures, and access to education and employment opportunities, often leading to vulnerability and exploitation in extreme cases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Over 700 million people globally live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day, which significantly limits their ability to meet basic needs.
2. Poverty is often intergenerational, meaning that children born into poverty are more likely to remain poor throughout their lives due to limited access to education and opportunities.
3. The effects of poverty can extend beyond economic hardship, contributing to health issues, higher rates of crime, and lower levels of education in affected communities.
4. Women and children are disproportionately affected by poverty, facing additional barriers that can include gender discrimination and lack of access to resources.
5. Human trafficking and modern slavery are often rooted in poverty, with individuals seeking better opportunities or being forced into exploitative situations due to economic desperation.

Review Questions

• How does poverty influence the likelihood of individuals becoming victims of human trafficking?
  • Poverty creates a desperate environment where individuals may be more vulnerable to exploitation. Those living in extreme financial hardship often seek any opportunity for a better life, making them targets for traffickers who promise employment or better living conditions. This desperation can lead individuals to trust those who exploit their need for financial stability, thereby increasing their risk of being trafficked.
• In what ways does income inequality exacerbate the effects of poverty within societies?
  • Income inequality can widen the gap between the wealthy and the poor, resulting in limited access to essential services such as education and healthcare for those at the lower end of the economic spectrum. This disparity hinders social mobility and perpetuates cycles of poverty, making it difficult for impoverished individuals to improve their situations. Furthermore, as wealth accumulates among a small percentage of the population, the majority may face increased barriers to opportunities that could lift them out of poverty.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Basic Needs Approach in addressing poverty-related issues such as human trafficking and modern slavery.
  • The Basic Needs Approach effectively targets the root causes of poverty by ensuring individuals have access to essential resources required for survival. By addressing needs such as food security, healthcare, and education, this approach can help reduce vulnerability to exploitation. When people’s basic needs are met, they are less likely to resort to dangerous situations for survival, decreasing the risk of falling prey to human trafficking and modern slavery. However, while this approach is crucial, it must be accompanied by broader systemic changes to fully eradicate poverty and protect vulnerable populations.

Related terms

Income Inequality:

The unequal distribution of income within a population, often resulting in disparities in wealth and living standards among different social groups.

Social Exclusion:

The process by which certain individuals or groups are systematically marginalized and excluded from participating in societal activities, limiting their access to resources and opportunities.

Basic Needs Approach: A strategy for poverty alleviation that focuses on ensuring individuals have access to essential resources such as food, water, healthcare, and education to meet their basic living requirements.